Home Away From Home...

Everybody needs a place to go to get away from their daily troubles and stress. Whether it be a cottage, a trip, or even just a week without the kids, having somewhere to escape helps us cope with the realities of home. For me, that place has always been at a secluded little lake in Barry's Bay, Ontario.

There, nestled in the pine trees and set in front of the shimmering waters, where the loons cry and the stars are never brighter, lies a small Polish camp, that for two weeks of the year is home to Chilawee Trails.

Chilawee is an all-girls, Catholic based, summer camp, and my favourite place in the world. I started attending as a camper when I was 10 years old. At the time, the camp itself was only 1 years old. It was my first time away from home, and I went on a school bus out of Toronto that was packed full of excited girls. I only knew one or two, but that was all I needed to feel secure.

After a long 5 hour trip, we finally arrived at the oasis. We were late for dinner, so those of us who had taken the bus ate together, while the rest of the camp had their campfire and activities. My counsellor-in-training (CIT) introduced me to the other girl from the bus who would be in the same cabin as myself. That girl and I became fast friends. I am proud to say that even now, 15 years later, we are close friends.

There is something magical about Chilawee Trails; an almost palpable spirit of friendship and positive energy that consumes the camp. There is no such thing as cliques or popularity, no judgement from others, and no sense of exclusion. Friendship, fun, teamwork and encouragement are really the cornerstones. There is always music playing (usually 90's or oldies if I'm involved), singing, dancing, funny outfits and hairstyles, and a lot of laughter going on.

Of all the things I love about camp, there are two things that I think are my favourites. One is the campfires. Even today, if I catch a hint of bug spray, I am immediately taken back to those nights. The entire camp attends, and everyone stands around the fire and sings together. When I became staff, I was quick to be the one to lead the songs. There is no greater high for me than to get up in front of all of my friends and encourage them to join me in a song. There are a number of must-sings, and sometimes someone will be brave enough to teach a new song, which we quickly add to our repertoire for the next summer. The night ends with the staff singing a goodnight song, and then the campers are lead back to their cabins by flashlight.    

The other thing that tops my list may seem a little unorthodox. However, I am nothing if not unorthodox, so here it is. One of my absolute favourite parts of camp is... washing supper dishes. I know how strange that seems, but it's something that has to be experienced to truly understand. A group of 4-5 of us will get together after supper, while the rest of the camp is busy with another activity, and divide up the task. Usually two people wash, I always opt to load and run the sanitizer, and then someone dries and puts away. The reason that this is fun for us is because we play music while we work. Often it's the Backstreet Boys, the Grease soundtrack, 60's music, the Spice Girls, or something equally as fun. We crank up the volume, and sing and dance while we clean. Many a dance choreography has been created during that time. Then there are the inevitable water fights. It almost always starts because someone put too much soap in the sink, and we need to get rid of some of the suds (Someone else's face is always a good place...). Sometimes the instigator isn't even in the kitchen. Outside, there is a hose hooked up to the building, and someone (often one of the directors), will hear us singing and laughing, and they'll turn the hose on the open window. Of course, we are forced to retaliate, though we always end up being the ones who are completely soaked. 

There are other wonderful parts to the camp as well. There are hikes, canoe trips, sports, crafts, swimming, talent shows, skits, mealtime games, tuck shops, a type of secret-santa, bedtime stories, olympics, theme days, and so much more. The entire camp is an experience like no other.

I attended that camp for 13 years straight. By my last year, I was one of the directors. Unfortunately, life has gotten in the way, and I have not been able to attend in a few years. I do, however, hope that my time has not completely ended there. I think it is essential for some of the staff who fully understand, and can keep alive, the spirit of the camp, to return and pass on the traditions and see that each new camper has the same amazing experience that they themselves had.

I hope that everyone has the opportunity to be exposed to something that is as positively life-altering as Chilawee Trails in their lifetime. I credit that camp for the person that I am today.

To end off, here are some things I have learned from Chilawee:

Accept and encourage others.

Always be a good role model, because you never know who is watching.

Be the first to be friendly and welcoming to those who are shy or unsure.

Fashion, trends, and outer beauty are the least important things in life.

Things that isolate you, such as headphones, magazines, and cell phones should be avoided in all social situations because you never know the fun you could be having, or the people that you could be excluding.

Take a lot of pictures of the good times.

Be the first to keep in touch. Some people aren't the best at it, so always be the one to instigate it.

Embarrassment is the silliest thing in the world. It's okay to let loose.

Music brings people together, and makes work a lot more fun.

Thanks for reading :)